Joint Administrative Order (JAO) for pro sports is set to be amended following the provisional approval the PBA secured from the Inter-Agency Task Force to run its season restart in Clark, Pampanga next month.
National Action Plan Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon said that the JAO will adopt the league’s strict health protocols that it will be using in its bubble at the former US military base.
“‘Yung protocols natin sa PBA bubble, mas istrikto yung ating PBA protocols kaysa doon sa protocols sa JAO. So kailangan lang amiyendahin yung protocols na yun,” he said in an online presser Thursday.
“Provision na lang ‘yun dahil kailangan i-adjust ngayon ‘yung agreement ng GAB [Games and Amusements Board] at ng DOH [Department of Health] para ma-reflect yung mas stricter provisions dun sa PBA bubble.”
The JAO, after all, is open to amendments since it is a working paper that could be adjustment from time to time just so it could adapt with what is happening, as the country continues to deal with the pandemic.
Among the protocols the league will have in place to ensure safety inside the bubble are more stringent testing and high-tech contact tracing, as well as requiring everyone to wear masks at all times — even in games.
Dizon, also the chief of Bases and Conversion Development Authority, said that all those inside the bubble will have to use the StaySafe PH mobile app for contact tracing.
“‘Yung ating testing protocol ay mas stringent, ‘yung dalawa ang testing bago pumasok and even during the bubble itself. Kahit nasa loob po sila ng bubble, regular pa rin ang testing at ang monitoring,” said the country’s testing czar.
“‘Yung contact tracing po gagamitin natin yung StaySafePH, lahat po ng tao sa bubble ay kailangan gumamit nito para mamonitor po at masigurado na wala silang sintomas pati yung mga close contacts nila ay mamomonitor.
“And then, kahit po dun sa games and practices and scrimmages, yun pong nasa bench kailangan naka-mask pa rin. Tatanggalin po ang mask ‘pag maglalaro na,” Dizon furthered.
With all this, the Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs vowed that it will be safe inside the bubble of Asia’s pioneering pro league, which is raring to resume play as it helps to bring entertainment amidst these trying times.
“Marami po rito ay mas istrikto pa doon sa current agreement ng GAB at DOH, kaya po gagamitin ito sa JAO. Kaya mas makakaasa tayo na safe ang players natin,” Dizon said.
“Makakaasa po kayo na lahat ng ating players, coaches, at teams na talagang garantisadong magiging safe and secure ang PBA bubble natin sa Clark.”
